About Host Nation

Kenya Basic Facts:

Kenya is Africa’s most popular safari destination and it’s capital Nairobi is East Africa’s economic hub. Kenya has a decent tourist infrastructure and lots of resorts along its coastline. It’s a testament to the country’s many natural attractions that tourists continue to visit.

Location:

Kenya is located in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania,

Area:

582,650 sq km, (slightly more than twice the size of Nevada or similar in size to France).

Population:

Around 32 million people live in Kenya

Language:

English (official), Kiswahili (official), as well as numerous indigenous languages.

Religion:

Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, indigenous beliefs 10%, Muslim 10%, other 2%. A large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widely.

Climate:

Kenya has a warm and humid tropical climate on its Indian Ocean coastline. The climate is cooler in the savannah grasslands around the capital city, Nairobi, and especially closer to Mount Kenya, which has snow permanently on its peaks.

It’s generally sunny, dry and not too hot for most of the year in Kenya despite being situated on the equator. The main rainy seasons are from March to May and November to December but the amount of rainfall varies year to year.When to Go: January – March, and July – October for safaris and beaches, February and August to climb Mount Kenya.

Mount Kenya:Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest peak and like Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, you don’t need special training to reach Point Lenana, one of its highest peaks. The area is home to rare species of animals as well as spectacular lakes, mineral springs, and forests.

Lamu: Lamu is one of Kenya’s oldest towns, settled by the Swahili about 700 years ago. More recently discovered by backpackers, Lamu is a great place to unwind and wash off the dirt and grime accumulated from some hard traveling. No matatus or mini-buses here, just donkeys and the sound of the ocean waves.